Chapter Forty-One: Familiar Faces

Year 200 of the League, April 14.

Amu and Misty were at White Dew Lake, but they didn’t encounter Bajir. He seemed to be searching for the Water Stone, and each time their paths failed to cross…

Of course, neither Amu nor Misty particularly cared to meet this dazzling “future champion.” Amu, for his part, was determined to become an excellent trainer and had his sights firmly set on winning the Rookie Tournament. Even knowing the road ahead was fraught with obstacles, he had no intention of handing the championship over. Misty, too, was holding back a fierce determination.

At present, neither of them could match Bajir, so there was little reason to seek him out.

They also weren’t traveling with Ash and his companions; after all, too many people journeying together could hinder their efforts to catch Pokémon. Moreover, Ash’s route was rather confusing—he’d already reached Pewter City in the far north, but had somehow looped back, apparently after falling into a massive Diglett cave and wandering out who knows how. Amu and Misty were certainly not on the same path.

Both Amu and Misty were tempted by Brock’s cooking, but ultimately decided to pass.

This time, Misty learned her lesson and, before leaving the campground, packed a day’s worth of sandwiches from the little restaurant. Even if she had to eat them cold, she’d rather stave off the struggle with convenience foods for another day.

Having left White Dew Lake behind, Amu and Misty continued north, intending to reach the nearby Recommendation City.

Though the distance was short in a straight line, Recommendation City was nestled among mountains. While not towering peaks, the sloping trails were far more arduous.

On the third evening, the weather suddenly changed.

“Damn, this wind feels ominous,” Amu said, sensing a chill in the breeze—a sign rain was coming.

He turned and saw a bank of black clouds rolling in.

Though Pokémon possessed skills to alter “weather,” they could only do so on a limited, regional scale—not just in terms of area, but height as well, usually no larger than a stadium, barely a dozen meters high.

It was rumored some legendary Pokémon could truly change the weather, even the climate itself!

“Ah! There’s a villa over there… Let’s take shelter from the rain,” Misty said, peering through the trees to glimpse a villa on the neighboring hill.

“Mm, I hope we make it in time… Wonder if anyone’s there,” Amu replied, somewhat worried.

They were already close to Recommendation City, and with no Ursaring or other large Pokémon living nearby, a simple iron fence could secure a building—so a villa here was unsurprising.

Such villas were typically for vacations, often left unoccupied.

“No one’s there? Doesn’t matter, we’ll just borrow it to wait out the rain,” Misty said matter-of-factly.

Indeed, in the wild, travelers often used such houses for shelter, and if no one was present, the entryway was usually left unlocked.

“Hmm? Looks like we can’t climb up that side; it’s… this way,” Amu said, finding the correct route through the woods.

The hill where the villa sat was quite steep, requiring them to approach from the other side and cross a suspension bridge.

Amu and Misty’s luck held—they reached the bridge just as thunder rumbled and rain began to pour.

As they dashed across, they saw the lights flicker on downstairs—someone was inside.

Misty, who had been running briskly, suddenly hesitated. Amu assumed she was tired and pulled her along.

“Wait…” Misty faltered, though said nothing more.

Sheltered beneath the entryway awning, Amu said, “Looks like someone’s home. Let’s knock.”

“Wait a minute…” Misty interjected.

Amu looked at her curiously, and Misty glanced away, saying, “Maybe… let’s not disturb them.”

Amu was baffled for a moment, then eyed her oddly. “Misty, don’t tell me… you’re afraid of ghosts?”

“Of course not!” Misty retorted immediately.

“Relax, we’re not far from Recommendation City. Besides, if there are ghosts, they’ll be Ghost-type Pokémon—I’ve been hoping to find some!” Amu declared boldly.

Indeed, abandoned villas in the wilderness were prime spots for Ghost-type Pokémon.

More importantly, if it’s confirmed to be a Ghost-type Pokémon, that’s fine—but those afraid of ghosts are usually more terrified of things not explained by Pokémon.

According to official statements, there are no “ghosts” in this world, only Ghost-type Pokémon. There’s even a show called “Into the Ghost-Type” to explain such phenomena.

Before Misty could say more, Amu knocked on the door.

Knock knock knock—

“Excuse me, is anyone home? May we use your entryway to shelter from the rain?” Amu called as he knocked.

Footsteps approached, and the door opened to reveal a young woman—“young,” meaning older than Amu and Misty.

“Ah! Passing trainers, are you? Please, come in.”

The woman greeted them with a gentle smile. Her short hair was tied in a high ponytail with a pink ribbon, and she wore a pale pink dress—not at all casual, suggesting she’d only just arrived.

Amu, however, paid more attention to her face, scrutinizing her intently.

“What is it?” the young woman asked, puzzled.

“Hey!” Misty rolled her eyes and jabbed Amu, reminding him it was rude to stare.

“Ah… sorry, you seem familiar… Thank you,” Amu apologized and stepped inside.

“Is that so? I don’t recall meeting you,” the young woman replied, genuinely searching her memory.

She looked to be a few years older than Amu and Misty, around her twenties. Amu likewise couldn’t recall knowing her.

Just then, a square-faced man of similar age approached, teasing, “Hey, kid, are you trying to flirt? Hahaha… Ayako, you’re as charming as ever.”

“Hiroki!” the woman in pink protested, waving her hand.

“Ayako?” Amu was startled, the sense of familiarity intensifying.

Ayako looked puzzled, about to ask whether they truly knew each other, when footsteps sounded upstairs. Someone leaned over the railing of the open second-floor corridor and called, “Huh? Sis, guests… ah!”

On seeing Amu, the newcomer exclaimed.

Misty recognized her as well, and Amu finally realized where the familiarity came from.

“Sonoko?”

“Misty? Amu?”

“So that’s it! Miss Ayako is Sonoko’s sister? I knew you looked familiar…” Amu said with relief.

Amu suffered from mild face blindness…

So whenever he met people with similar features, he’d inevitably confuse them even more!